Losing your hair? You are not alone. In addition to the usual number of people who suffer from hair loss, many more women and men are losing their hair as a result of the stress created by COVID-19, medical experts say.
Take heart, however. New advanced treatments are available that can reverse hair loss and even detect it in advance. In normal times, hair thinning and hair loss affect about 50 million men and about 30 million women in the United States, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. Forty percent of women and 85 percent of men will have marked hair thinning by age 50, The American Hair Loss Association says. Hair loss can start as early age 35 for women.
Hair restoration specialists report, however, that these numbers have been sharply increasing recently. The reason that many more people are reporting hair loss and hair thinning than usual is the immense stress and lifestyle changes that many have experienced during the pandemic, says Ian Murphy, the president of BosleyMD, which provides solutions for thinning hair for women and men.
Healthy young women and men who thought they would never experience so much hair loss are seeking answers, Murphy says.
Fever can hasten hair loss
In addition to severe psychological challenges and stress, illnesses that are related to fever can hasten hair loss and lead to heavy shedding of hair, according to leading hair restoration surgeon Dr. Alan J. Bauman.
More than a quarter of those people recovering from COVID-19 report hair loss as a lingering problem from the disease, he says.
Even people who have not physically been infected with the virus can suffer from the detrimental effects of the pandemic on their scalp, hair and other organs, Bauman adds.
In addition, hair restoration specialists report multiple cases of hair loss among those who suffer long-haul symptoms from having contracted COVID-19.
Impact on wellbeing
Hair loss can have a strong effect on a person’s confidence, wellbeing and self-image, says Dr. Sophia Kogan, co-founder and chief medical adviser at hair-growth supplement maker Nutrafol. For many it is an emotional journey and taking control of their hair health helps them regain their confidence, she adds.
Good news
The good news is that advanced help is at hand both for those who are losing their hair through their genetic makeup as well as those who are suffering hair loss as a result of stress from the pandemic or as a result of other illnesses and stresses. New treatments mean that most hair thinning can be reversible if caught in time, experts say.
Help for women
More than 30 million women in the United States suffer hair loss, says Dr. Bill Cole, a co-founder with two other specialists of Cell Health Co. The company has developed a program that adopts a holistic approach to treating hair loss in women.
The program is aimed at providing support for those who feel defeated or frustrated by hair loss that is unexplained as well as brittle, dry and thinning hair, Cole says.
Hair problems are among the hardest to address, he adds. It also affects clients the most as it places a burden on them. They fail to feel themselves and do not like what they see. Often, he adds, the root of the problem is not hair loss, but can be a result of poor cell health.
If the cells are healed, the body will itself heal, he adds.
The program addresses the four causes of hair problems that seemingly cannot be explained or are related to autoimmune factors, Dr. Daniel Pompa, a co-founder of Cell Health, says. These causes are found in the microbiome, autoimmune, nutritional, and hormonal systems, he adds.
Treatment in advance
New technology also can identify potential hair loss in advance and so can prevent it from taking place even before it happens.
Although most hair loss might be hereditary, you can avoid it with proper intervention, Bauman says. The keys to identifying the best treatment are detecting it early and analyzing it accurately, experts in hair restoration add. Action taken early is essential.
New genetic test
A new genetic test called TrichoTest has been developed by Fagron North America, a leader in pharmaceutical compounding. The test analyzes a variety of factors including inflammation and blood circulation as well as vitamin and mineral metabolism to develop a treatment.
The results also can help medical practitioners to develop a treatment plan that is personalized for their patients. The treatment might include oral supplements, topical solutions, and prescription hair-care products
